Viola plant named ‘SMEV2’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Viola  named ‘SMEV2’ that is distinguishable by compact dome-shaped habit, green glossy foliage, and large soft yellow flowers. In combination these traits set ‘SMEV2’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Viola  known to the inventor.

Genus: VIOLA.

Species: ×hybrida.

Denomination: ‘SMEV2’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of VIOLAknown commonly as violet and grown for use in border, container, andlandscape. The new invention from the family Violaceae is knownbotanically as VIOLA×hybrida and will be referred to hereinafter by thecultivar name ‘SMEV2’.

‘SMEV2’ resulted from a formal breeding program developed by theinventor, and conducted in Wonga Park, Victoria, Australia with the goalof producing a series of perennial Viola exhibiting a range of flowercolor. The breeding program commenced in 2002.

‘SMEV2’ is a hybrid seedling selection that resulted from controlledcross-pollination of the female parent, Viola ‘Lord Primrose’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 18,253) and the male parent, Viola ‘Painted Porcelain’(non-patented). Seed was collected and sown in early 2005 and raised toflowering. From an approximate 150 seedlings, five were selected by theinventor, and then propagated asexually, by cuttings. From these ‘SMEV2’was selected in 2005 based on the criteria of habit, flower dimensions,flower color, and prolific flower number.

The closest comparison plants known to the inventor are the two parentvarieties, ‘Lord Primrose’ and ‘Painted Porcelain’. ‘SMEV2’ isdistinguishable from both parents by flower color. Whereas the flowersof ‘SMEV2’ are solid yellow in color, the flowers of ‘Lady Primrose’ arepredominantly violet in color and exhibit a mid-yellow blotch or eye;and the flowers of ‘Painted Porcelain’ are light violet in color andexhibit a dark violet blotch or eye.

The unique traits exhibited by ‘SMEV2’ are compact dome-shaped habit,glossy green foliage, and numerous large scented flowers that are softyellow in color, and held on short peduncles. Blooming occurs springthrough fall. After six months of growth from a rooted cutting thedimensions of ‘SMEV2’ are 20 cm. in height and 20 cm. in width. Culturalrequirements include shade to filtered sunlight, moist organic soil, andregular water. ‘SMEV2’ is hardy in USDA Zone 5.

The first asexual reproduction of ‘SMEV2’ was accomplished in 2005 in acultivated area of Victoria, Australia. Asexual propagation wasaccomplished by the inventor, using the method, of softwood cuttings.Since that time ‘SMEV2’ has been determined stable and true to type insubsequent generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of the new Viola cultivar named ‘SMEV2’.These traits in combination distinguish ‘SMEV2’ from all other existingvarieties of Viola known to the inventor. ‘SMEV2’ has not been testedunder all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observedwith variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions,however, without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘SMEV2’ exhibits compact dome-shaped habit.    -   2. ‘SMEV2’ exhibits green glossy foliage.    -   3. ‘SMEV2’ produces numerous large flowers on short peduncles.    -   4. The flowers of ‘SMEV2’ are soft yellow in color, slightly        fading towards the outer petal margins.    -   5. The flowers of ‘SMEV2’ are pleasantly fragrant with the        characteristic perfume of violets.    -   6. After one year of growth from a rooted cutting ‘SMEV2’ is        20 cm. in height including the flowers, and 20 cm. in width.    -   7. ‘SMEV2’ is hardy in USDA Zone 5.    -   8. ‘SMEV2’ blooms spring through fall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Viola cultivar named ‘SMEV2’ showing color as true as is reasonablypossible to obtain in color reproductions of this type. Color in thedrawings may differ from the color values cited in the detailedbotanical description, which accurately describe the actual color of thenew variety ‘SMEV2’.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 depicts a 3 months plant in first bloom,grown in a 10 cm. container.

The drawing labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the flowers on theplant shown in FIG. 1.

Both drawings were made from a plant which has been grown in awell-ventilated unheated greenhouse in Victoria, Australia. No pinchingor chemical growth regulators have been employed.

Both drawings were made using conventional techniques and althoughflower and foliage color may appear different from actual color due tolight reflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventionalphotography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Violacultivar named ‘SMEV2’. Observations and measurements were collected inArroyo Grande, Calif. during the month of July from a two months oldplant, grown from an unrooted cutting, and in its first flower. Theobserved plant was grown out of doors in a 6 cm liner pot. Colordeterminations were made in accordance with The 2001 Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart from London, England, except where general colorterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: VIOLA×hybrida ‘SMEV2’.-   Family: Violaceae.-   Genus: VIOLA.-   Species: ×hybrida.-   Denomination: ‘SMEV2’.-   Common name: Violet.-   Habit: Compact.-   Shape: Dome-shaped.-   Type: Perennial.-   Commercial category: Ornamental.-   Use: Border, container, and in the landscape.-   Suggested commercial container size: 10 cm. pot and 1-liter    container.-   Parentage: VIOLA×hybrida ‘SMEV2’ is a hybrid seedling selection that    resulted from the controlled cross-pollination of the following    parents:    -   -   Female parent.—Viola ‘Lord Primrose’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.            18,253).        -   Male parent.—Viola ‘Painted Porcelain’ (non-patented).-   Propagation method: Softwood cuttings.-   Rooting system: Fine and fibrous.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Time to develop roots (range): 14-20 days to develop roots on an    initial cutting.-   Temperature to develop roots: The recommended air temperature is    20-21° Centigrade.-   Crop time (range): Under summer growing conditions, ‘SMEV2’ will    flower and be saleable in a 10 cm container in flower after 3 months    of growing from an unrooted cutting. During winter and spring months    in an unheated greenhouse ‘SMEV2’ flowers and is saleable in 4-6    months depending on light levels and day length.-   Plant dimensions: 20 cm. in height including the flowers, and 20 cm.    in width.-   Cultural requirements: Grow in moist organic soil, shade to filtered    sunlight with regular water.-   Pest or disease resistance or susceptibility: No particular disease    or pest resistance or susceptibility is known to the inventor.-   Hardiness: USDA Zone 5.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching.—Basal.        -   Stem color.—N144C.        -   Stem length (average).—5 cm.        -   Stem width.—0.25 cm.        -   Stem shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Stem surface.—Glabrous.        -   Internode (average).—0.75 cm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Evergreen.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf quantity (average).—6.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Leaf shape.—Ovate.        -   Leaf length (range).—2 cm-3.50 cm.        -   Leaf width (range).—1.50 cm-2.25 cm.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—137C.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—137A.        -   Leaf base.—Rounded.        -   Leaf apex.—Rounded.        -   Venation.—Pinnate.        -   Vein color (abaxial and adaxial surfaces).—137C.        -   Leaf surface (abaxial and adaxial).—Glabrous.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole color.—138B.        -   Petiole dimensions (average).—2 cm. in length and 1 mm. in            width.        -   Petiole shape.—Sulcate.        -   Petiole surface.—Glabrous.        -   Stipules.—Present and persistent.        -   Stipule form.—Leaf-like.        -   Stipule margin.—Cleft.        -   Stipule apex.—Rounded.        -   Stipule base.—Truncate.        -   Stipule color.—138B.        -   Stipule surface (abaxial and adaxial).—Glabrous.        -   Stipule attachment.—Sessile.        -   Stipule dimensions (average).—1.50 cm. in length and            0.50 cm. in width.        -   Fragrance.—None observed.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Solitary flower.        -   Inflorescence quantity (average).—3.        -   Aspect (range).—Facing outward to pendant.        -   Inflorescence width.—2.75 cm.        -   Inflorescence length.—3.25 cm.        -   Inflorescence depth.—2 cm.        -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Terminal inflorescence.        -   Inflorescence color on abaxial surface.—4A, fading to 4C.        -   Inflorescence color on adaxial surface.—4A, fading to 4C.        -   Inflorescence shape.—Rotate.        -   Blooming seasons.—Spring through fall.        -   Peduncle length (range).—5.50 cm-7 cm.        -   Peduncle width.—3 mm.        -   Peduncle shape.—Sub-cylindrical.        -   Peduncle surface.—Glabrous.        -   Peduncle color.—144B.        -   Peduncle strength.—Flexible.        -   Bud color.—143B.        -   Bud shape.—Elongated oval.        -   Bud dimensions (average).—1.30 cm. in length and 0.40 cm, in            width.        -   Bud surface.—Glabrous.        -   Bud apex.—Rounded.        -   Corolla tube depth.—6 mm.        -   Petal quantity.—5 in number.        -   Spur.—1 present on anterior petal.        -   Spur color.—144B.        -   Spur dimensions.—3 mm. in length and 1.50 mm. in width.        -   Petal shape (range).—Reniform to obcordate.        -   Petals fused or unfused.—Unfused.        -   Petal apex (range).—Obtuse to obcordate.        -   Petal base.—Truncate to cuneate.        -   Petal margin (range).—Entire to lightly crisped.        -   Petal length (range).—1.25 cm-1.75 cm.        -   Petal width (range).—1.75 cm-cm.        -   Petal color on abaxial surface.—4A, fading to 4C.        -   Petal color on adaxial surface.—4A, fading to 4C.        -   Petal surface (abaxial and adaxial).—Glabrous.        -   Petal appearance.—Iridescent.        -   Petal veins.—Veins appear as slight depressions of same            color as surrounding tissue and are barely evident, except            for short “lines” of dark purple veining within lower            petals, length 5 mm-8 mm, width 0.5 mm, color N92A,            radiating and commencing approximately 5 mm from petal base.        -   Calyx shape.—Stellate.        -   Calyx diameter.—2 cm.        -   Sepals.—5 in number.        -   Sepal dimensions.—1 cm. in length and 0.40 cm. in width.        -   Fused or unfused.—Sepals unfused.        -   Sepal color (abaxial and adaxial surfaces).—138A.        -   Sepal apex.—Acute.        -   Sepal base.—Truncate.        -   Sepal surface (abaxial and adaxial).—Glabrous.        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepal shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Inflorescence self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning.        -   Inflorescence fragrance.—Mild scent.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence (range).—5-7 days.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamen quantity.—5 joined around ovary.        -   Stamen length.—4 mm.        -   Stamen color.—145D.        -   Anther length.—<1 mm. appendage to stamen.        -   Anther width.—2.50 mm.        -   Anther color.—164A.        -   Pollen color.—155C.        -   Pollen quantity (range).—Moderate to heavy.        -   Pistil quantity.—1.        -   Pistil height.—6.5 mm.        -   Style height.—1 mm.        -   Style color.—N144A.        -   Stigma dimensions.—<1 mm. in height and 1 mm. in diameter.        -   Stigma color.—N144A.        -   Stigma shape.—Globular.        -   Stigma surface.—Glandular.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.        -   Ovary color.—N144A.        -   Ovary shape.—Dome-shaped.        -   Ovary dimensions.—6 mm. in height and 3 mm. in width.-   Seed: None observed to date.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Viola plant named ‘SMEV2’ as describedand illustrated herein.